Zambia: Nation Gets $102 Million Grant for HIV/AIDS

From CDC National Prevention Information Network

October 12, 2012

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has given Zambia a grant of US $102 million through the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) to continue supporting the country's national HIV/AIDS responses. The single stream funding grant consolidated four grants and will enable over 404,275 people to be counseled and tested, 80,479 to be placed in treatment, 84,000 males to be circumcised, and 70,050 orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) to receive care and support.

At the October 10 signing ceremony in Lusaka, GF head Eldon Edington stated that he was impressed with the Zambian government's efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria in all parts of the country. Edington praised Zambia for implementing measures to ensure that health sector resources fulfill their intended purpose. He added that Zambia has continued to make tremendous strides in the fight against major diseases using GF resources.

Health Minister Joseph Kasonde said the single stream funding grant would target high-impact areas to support the fight against major diseases, and he stated that Zambia was privileged to have received GF grants since the fund's inception in 2002 that help the country combat HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. Dr. Kasonde added that the government, through the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP), had prioritized health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and was impressed with CHAZ for its concerted efforts to improve the health sector. Dr. Kasonde explained that the fund will start operating a social health insurance scheme with public servants as an entry point, adding that there would be a clear roll-out plan for the private and informal sectors.

CHAZ chairperson Joop Jansen was pleased that the government has continued to work with various cooperating partners to improve Zambia's health service delivery system. Dr. Jansen said CHAZ, as the recipient, would take into account the risks, transparency, and accountability of the grant funds.

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